Flush valve



Feb. 10, 1953 E. F. BoTHE 2,627,873

FLUSH VALVE Filed June 20. 1949 Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application June 20, 1949, Serial No. 100,253l

2 Claims. (C1. 1374-652) This invention relates to valves and has more particular reference to flush valves of the type that are maintained closed by fluid pressure and reclose themselves automatically after manual actuation to open position.

Valves of this type, while not new in principle, have generally been quite complicated in design. The complicated nature of these valves, therefore, made them quite expensive and -diicult to manufactura Y v In general, therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved type of ilush valve which features ruggedness and simplicity of design together with ease of manufacture so that it can be made available at relatively low cost.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision'of va flush valve of the character described which will operate with high efficiency and over long periods of time because of its sirnple and rugged construction.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention'resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly denedby the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention maybe made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed; in accordance vwith the best mode so far devised for the practical application ofthe principles thereof, and in which:` `Figure 1 is a vertical-sectional view through the valve of this inventionA illustrating the interior construction thereof and the valve in closed position; j

s- Figure'Z is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the valve actuated to open position; and

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the valve ina partially closed position and illustrating the manner in which uld pressure effects closure of the valve;

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings-in which like numerals indicate like parts, the valve of Athis invention comprises a valve body 5 including Aan upright cylindrical main body portion 6, a cylindrical cap portion 1 disposed over thev main body portion 6 and a clamping `ring 8 for holding the cap portionl I on the top of the main body portion 6 and coaxial therewith.

` Thev upper end of the main bodyvportion 6 is turned-.down to provide a short axial lpilot or neck 9 which projects upwardly into a shallow well Ill in the underside of the cap portion 'l and which has a diameter to snugly receive the neck or pilot 9. Asuitablegasket Il in thebottom of the well I is preferably employed to preclude leakage around the rim of the cap at the joint between it and the main body portion 6. .j The cap portion I has a diameter slightly less that that of the body portion 6 but at its lower end has an annular flange I3.thereon ovcr'which the connecting ring 8 engages, and inasmuchas the interior of the ring is provided with screw threads to engage corresponding screwthreads on the exterior of the main body portion 6 it will be apparent that the cap portion 1 is drawn tightly down onto the outer end of the neck or pilot 9 to compress the gasket II therebetween upon tightening of the ring 8. I The main body portion 6 has an axial bore I5 leading upwardly thereinto from the bottom to provide an outlet passage for the valve, and this bore aligns with and leads into the lower or inner end of a counterborev providing an upright main valve chamber I6 larger in diameter than the bore I5 and opening to the top of the main body portion. A At the inner end of the counterbore, that is, at its junction with the bore I5, the main body portion is provided with a valve seat I'I with which a valve plug I8 engages to close the outlet passage and shut olf communication between it and afluid inlet:l passage I8 formed by a `bore, extending into one, side of the main body portion and leading into ther lower end of the main valve chamber I6.

Thev valve plug I8 is formed on the lower end ofY a valve element 20 which has an enlarged cylindrical piston-like head 2l at its vupper end slid-L ably tting the upper end portion of the main valve chamber. The plug I8 and head 2I are con-l nected by means of an axial reduced neck 22 extending from the underside 23 ofthe head and joining with vthe small diameter end of a frustoconical formation orjsurace 24 on the plug. When the inlet passage 'I 9 is connected with the source of iluid under pressure the uid acts uponthe frusta-conical surface 24 of the plug with a downward force tending to hold the plug seated 1 n'its valve closed position, but the downward force of the fluidupon the plug is less than the upward force which the uid exerts upon the underside 23 'of the enlarged head 2l of the valve element.' Hence it will be seen that the pressure of iiuid in the inlet passage I9 is capable of acting upon the enlarged head 2I to lift the valve ele'- ment so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet passages for ushing purposes.

Since uid under pressure in the inlet passage I9 tends to unseat the valve and open the same it will be apparent that the valve can be maintained closed only when the uid from the source can exert a greater downward force upon the valve element than the upward force which it exerts upon the surfaceV 23 of the enlarged head on the element. To, this end provision is made for subjecting the upper end of the main valve chamber I6 to the pressure of fluid in the inlet.

passage I9. Generally this is accomplished by fluid branch passages which lead from the inlet and outlet passages upwardly into the cap portion 'l of the body and downwardly into the upper end of the main valve chamber.

One of these iiuid passages 26 comprises a relatively small diameter tube 2l which is pressed in a. vertical hole extending downwardly from, the top of the main body portion 6' into the inlet passage I9, between the inlet end of the passage I9l and the main valv-e chamber I6. In order to insure that fluid under pressurer will flow upwardly into the branch passagey 26 when the main valve is open, the side portion 28 of the tube adjacent to the main valve chamber is extended downwardly a distance into the inlet passage to provide in effect a scoop or deflector.

The upper end of the branch passage 26 is in register with a hole 30 in the underside of the cap portion 1 leading into the inlet end of a cylinder-like auxiliary valve chamber 3l disposed horizontally in the cap portion substantially crosswise over the upper end of the main valve chamber. The auxiliary valve chamber 3l is readily provided by boring into the side of the cap portion I to a distance slightly beyond the center or axis of` the main valve chamber I6, and the outer end of this bore is sealed as by threading a plug 32 thereinto.

At' the inner end of the auxiliary valve chamber 3l" the underside of the cap portion I is pro,- vi'd'ed with a port 33 which communicates the upper end of the mainv valve chamber with the side of the auxiliary valvechamber to thus allow fluid to now upwardly through the branch passager 26' and inwardly in the auxiliary chamber 3I, through the port 33 and. into the. upper end. of' the main valve chamber, so as tor subject the top side 34 ofthe head 2I of, the. valve element to. the pressure of the luidin4 theinlet passage` I9l.

Since the surface 34 on thehead is larger than the undersurface 23 thereof it follows that. the totaldownward force acting onthe. valveelement. will be in excess of the upward component and the valve element will be held in its. lowermost posltionby the iiuid to keep the. plug portion I8` engaged with its seat I'I.

Actually the downward force on. the' surface 3'4 of'the valve element is added' to the force the.

fluid exerts on the truste-conical surface 24 of' the plug portion to greatly exceed the upward force on the undersurface 23" of the enlarged head.

Inasmuch as the valve element is securely maintained in its closed position by the pressure ofiluid in the inlet passage I9 andin the upper end of the main valve chamber I6, it will be apparent that it is necessary to relieve the pressure. in the upper end ofthe main valve chamber to enable opening of the valve by the force of duid acting on the undersurface 23 of the enlarged head 2l;

This is accomplished by the inward manual depression of an actuating stem 36 connecting with a piston-like auxiliary valve or plunger 31 slidable in the auxiliary valve chamber 3|. The valve element 3'I is responsive to the pressure of fluid conducted into the inlet end of the auxiliary valve chamber through the branch passage 26 and is normally held by this fluid pressure in the opposite or discharge end of the auxiliary valve chamber. In this position, the auxiliary valve closes a port, 38 connectingthe; discharge end of the auxiliary chamber with a branch "relief passage 39 leading to the outlet passage I5. The relief passage 39 is formed jointly by registering vertical holes drilled upwardly into the underside of the cap portion and downwardly into the top of the main body portion 6, substantially diametrically opposite from the branch passage 26.

The lower end of this relief passage 39 communicates with the outlet passageway I5 through an angle passageway 39' drilled into the side of the main body portion and having its outer end plugged as at 40.

As will be readily understood, the stem or` actuator 36 of the auxiliary valve projects. through a packing gland arrangement 4I on the side of the cap 'I to prevent the leakage of fluid past. the stem.

Closure ofthe port 36 isleffected by a= frustoconical surface 43 on the auxiliary valve 31 which has its small diameter en d arranged to enter; the port 38 a slight distance for this purpose. Hence, in the position of the parts illustrated in Figure I, fluid pressure acts directly uponthe surface 2liT of the valve plug and upon the flat top surface 34S of the enlarged head on the main valve element: to holdv it closed.

The main valve element; of course, isopenedf by fluid pressure whenever the plunger 36. isvde pressed inwardly as seen in Figure 2 to shut ol the upper end of the main valve chamber; from the branch passage 26 leading tothe inlet passage, and to establish communication' between the upper end of the main valve: chamber I6 and the outlet port I5 through the ports 331 and 3B andv thereliefpassages 39 and 39"'.V

As statedv previously, inward depression ot the` auxiliary valve in this manner relievesthe pres. sure in the upperV endl` of themain valve chamber' so that the pressure ofY fluid acting on the under--V surface 23 of the valve element lifts thelsame olf of its seat, asv shown in-Figure 2, to enable ui'd to ow through the valvefrom the inletY to the.

outlet passages thereof.

In orderv to effect opening of the valveinthis manner it is only necessaryto push the actuator 36 inwardly and the auxiliary valve may be held' sor depressedl for any desired' length of time to;-

maintain the valve in open condition. In ordinary use of the valve, however, the auxiliary valve 37 is only momentarily actuated andthe maizr. valve element is adapted to be automatically reclosed by thepressure of uid acting on the top of the head on theval've.

Reclosure of the main valve by fluid pressure;A

Hence, after ma-v chamber at a rate depending upon the setting of the needle valve to slowly shift the auxiliary valve to its position closing the port 38 and establishing communication between the inlet passage and the upper end of the main valve chamber to again cause the pressure to build up therein for reclosure of the valve.

The time it takes for reclosure of the main valve is also partly determined by the sizes of relatively narrow longitudinal and circumferential grooves 41 and 48, respectively, in the exterior of the auxiliary valve 31 which in effect form a partial by-pass around the valve and allow fluid entering the inlet of the auxiliary valve chamber to ow part way therepast and through the port 33 into the upper end of the main valve chamber to slowly build up the pressure therein.

In this manner the force exerted against the undersurface 23 on the enlarged head of the main valve element is slowly overcome during reclosure of the valve, as seen in Figure 3, by the increasing pressure being built up in the upper end of the main valve chamber and reacting with an increasing downward force upon the top of the valve element.

Each time the plunger or actuator 36 is momentarily depressed, therefore, a more or less predetermined volume of fluid will ow through the valve and the valve will be automatically released after a time interval depending upon the adjustment of the needle valve 45. If a lesser volume of fluid is to be delivered through the valve the needle valve may be backed up on its threads to lift its lower end to a position less restricting the flow of fluid into the inlet end of the auxiliary valve chamber so as to cause quicker pressure response of the auxiliary valve 31 and its closing of the port 38. This effects earlier registry of the circumferential groove 48 with the port 33, and obviously speeds the downward closing motion of the main valve.

To effect an increase in the volume of fluid to be passed through the valve, the needle valve is turned inwardly on its threads to advance its lower pointed end downwardly into the branch passageway 26 to further restrict the flow of iiuid into the inlet of the auxiliary valve chamber. This has the effect of delaying response of the auxiliary valve 31 to the pressure of fluid delivered into the auxiliary valve chamber, accordingly delaying the building up of pressure in the upper end of the main valve chamber.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the arrangement of valve elements and passages in the valve of this invention produces an exceptionally simple and rugged construction which is particularly easy to manufacture and may be made available at relatively low cost; and that these advantages are assured without sacricing eciency of operation and long life of the structure.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a flush valve of the type having a body provided with inlet and outlet passages opening into an upright main valve chamber, and a vertically movable main valve in said main valve chamber movable upwardly by the pressure of fluid in the inlet passage from a valve closed position to a valve open position communicating the inlet and outlet passages, said body having branch passages one of which communicates with the inlet passage and the other with the outlet passage: means on the body dening a cylinderlike release Valve chamber communicated at one end with the inlet branch passage, the outlet branch passage communicating with the opposite end of the release valve chamber, coaxially thereof; means on the body providing a communicating passageway between the upper end of the main valve chamber and the cylinder-like release valve chamber at a location remote from the inlet end of said release valve chamber; a piston provided a release valve at all times entirely within the release valve chamber and slidably tting the same, said piston at all times being free to move in its chamber in response to the pressure of uid in the inlet end thereof toward said opposite end of the release valve chamber to a normally inoperative position closing oi the outlet branch passage from the release valve chamber and the upper end of the main valve chamber; means on said piston providing a restricted by-pass around the piston in said inoperative position thereof, said by-pass leading from the inlet end of the release valve chamber to the upper end of the main valve chamber through said communicating passageway so that the main valve will be held down in its valve closed position by the pressure of fluid above the main valve; and means for manually moving said piston toward the inlet end of said release valve chamber to an operative main valve releasing position simultaneously closing ofr communication between the inlet end of the release valve chamber and the upper end of the main valve chamber and establishing communication between the upper end of the main valve chamber and the outlet branch passage.

2. The flush valve set forth in claim 1 wherein said by-pass around the piston comprises an annular groove in the periphery of the piston aligning with the communicating passageway between said chambers only in the inoperative position of the piston, and a longitudinal groove in the periphery of the piston leading from said annular groove to the end of the piston adjacent to the inlet end of the release valve chamber.

EDWARD F. BO-TI-IE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 824,658 Jungren June 26, 1906 901,584 Bowman Oct. 20, 1908 932,244 Bowman Aug. 24, 1909 952,048 Resek Mar. 15, 1910 1,046,548 Bloom Dec. 10, 1912 1,062,868 Williams May 27, 1913 2,000,297 Putnam May '1, 1935 2,172,855 Siegert Sept. 12, 1939 2,181,225 Campbell Nov. 28, 1939 

